US prosecutors weigh death penalty for alleged Mexican drug lord Caro Quintero

The U.S. government said on Wednesday it may seek the death penalty for alleged Mexican drug lord Rafael Caro Quintero, following his surprise expulsion from Mexico last month to face sweeping drug charges.

U.S. District Judge Frederic Block asked a prosecutor whether capital punishment was a possibility for Caro Quintero, 72, who has pleaded not guilty to four counts including continuing criminal enterprise and cocaine importation conspiracy.

Block appointed Elizabeth Macedonio, a lawyer specializing in death penalty cases, to help defend Caro Quintero, joining trial lawyer Michael Vitaliano.

He scheduled another hearing for June 25, to allow prosecutors sufficient time to decide what penalty to seek. They would need authorization from Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the death penalty.

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